Goodbye 20th Century. A Biography of Sonic Youth

Editorial Review

Sonic Youth’s distinctive, uncompromising sounds have provided a map for innumerable musicians who followed, from ’90s groundbreakers like Nirvana and Pavement to current faves like the Strokes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. More than perhaps any other act, Sonic Youth has brought “fringe” art to the mainstream, helping spawn an alternative arts scene that prospers to this day: a world of punk rock, underground films and comics, experimental music, conceptual art, contemporary classical compositions, and even fashion. In Goodbye 20th Century, David Browne tells the full glorious story of “the Velvet Underground of their generation,” an account based on extensive research, fresh interviews with the band and those who have worked with them (from Glenn Branca and Lydia Lunch to Sofia Coppola and Spike Jonze), and unprecedented access to unreleased recordings and documents. This is a richly detailed portrait of an iconic band and the times they helped create.

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Customer Reviews

Nothing New, really

2008-07-28
While a new book was needed on Sonic Youth, it does not improve much on the previous 2 boks I know of, Confusion is next and a Spanish bok that came out with a CD more than 15 years ago. While the writing is excellent, it is somewhat too scholarly about its subject. Indeed, a group such as Sonic Youth have allways been more than a mere rock group but at the same time they have been a part of the seminal New York underground. This book gives a great idea of their history but fails to provide the excitement that should come with such a story. As I wrote a new book was needed but it is also too close in content to Confusion Is Next and comes over more as a new edition of that book. If you do not own any other book on Sonic Youth, this one will do, otherwise it is for completists only.

Kinda boring, but I still love this band

2008-07-15
I can't finish this book, because I have another book called "Confusion is Next" about the same stuff. I got this book for the pictures like Thurston & Kim's wedding, Thurston as a teenager & a whole bunch of other photos. Sonic Youth shreds on stage and at the studio, but their private lives are pretty tame. That's a good thing. While their peers have burned themselves out they still keep on rocking. This shows that rational,emotionally stable people can rock better than their debauched friends. All hail good health and well adjusted relationships.

A Wonderful Rock Biography

2008-07-14
Thoroughly researched and full of details that any Sonic Youth fan will find interesting. Well written. A must for anyone who reads rock biographies and has even the faintest interest in Sonic Youth.

Kool Thing

2008-06-18
A great biography about one of the greatest American bands.
I consider myself quit an expert when it come to Sonic Youth, nevertheless this book surprised me with all the rich information the author has gathered (Very impressive research including interviews and pictures from all the people who were involved in the Sonic Youth story).

The book is well written and leaves you with wet eyes in the end. It tells the story of ordinary people who had dream, some of those dreams were achieved some of the were not.

It is a must read to any sonic youth fan and to anyone who consider himself an alternative/rock/punk/indie music fan.

At Last: Sonic Pleasure Transfers Well To Print ! !

2008-06-02
I've been waiting a long time for a big, in-depth bio of one of music's most interesting,enduring and influential bands, and Browne's book certainly delivered the goods. He covers all aspects of the band--childhoods, early days and apartments in New York, recording sessions, the dynamics within the band, their ups and downs and conflicts with their record companies and managers, the whole Lollapalooza experience, and personal lives. I had no idea Kim's high school boyfriend was Danny Elfman or that there was a showdown within the band during the "Dirty" sessions. It's extremely well researched and the writing is accessible and lively. If you're a fan, you have to read this.